I’ve always been a fan of the epilogue in tv shows, you know, the last scene after the last commercial. The conflict has been resolved, things are back to normal, and the characters have a moment to savor the wonderful outcome. I suspect that the epilogue is a baby boomer obsession for happy, optimistic results. Epilogues worked in dramas or sitcoms, although the Seinfeld Show added a twist. The last scene would usually introduce the final humorous connection to something that had happened, like when George produces out of his pocket the cause of the obstruction which he had heroically removed from the struggling whale – Kramer’s golf ball.
I wonder sometimes about what might have been the epilogue to certain Bible stories. The other night I found myself wondering right in the middle of doing the teaching at The Gathering Church. I was going through my prepared outline that covered a certain passage, but my mind couldn’t resist wondering about the epilogue, and before I knew it, I was wondering out loud. And suddenly, we found ourselves in one of those moments when the real import of something hits you.
The passage? Mark 2:1-12, the familiar story of the men who carry their paralyzed friend to the house where Jesus is teaching. Unable to get in because of the crowd they go up on the roof where they open up a space and lower him down right in front of Jesus. The drama of this story makes it unforgettable. I was waxing on about the love involved – they were dedicated to their friend, the faith involved – they really believed that Jesus would help their friend, and the action involved – they rejected the status quo, doing whatever it took to get their friend to Jesus. There are some great church planting applications in the story.
But, then I wondered – what was it like to walk home with that man? The thought of that was powerful. As I asked that question aloud, we were suddenly there in a new way. And then I asked it again, inviting a response. Immediately, someone said, “I bet they danced!”
I don’t think enough of us get to do The Walk Home. Because it takes a lot to get there. It starts with desperation. It requires being so connected to someone else’s desperate need that you pick up a corner and carry. It involves getting to Jesus. Doing anything to get to Jesus.
Hmmmm . . . I wonder if I care enough for all that? I want to. What about you?